Closing part for a shoe and corresponding shoe system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closing part ( 1 ) for a shoe ( 2 ) that includes an upper ( 3 ) comprising an open area ( 5 ) for facilitating the insertion of the foot into said shoe ( 2 ), said closing part ( 1 ) being designed so as to close said open area ( 5 ), said closing part ( 1 ) being characterized in that it comprises a unitary portion ( 100 ) to be attached to said upper ( 3 ) by means of at least first and second zip fasteners provided on either side of said open area ( 5 ), respectively. The invention also relates to a shoe closing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general technical field of men's and women's wear, in particular the field of foot protection wear and accessories.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the technical field of shoes.

More precisely, the present invention relates to a closing part for a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe, said closing part being adapted for closing said open area.

The present invention also relates to a shoe system comprising:

-   -   a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an         open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said         shoe,     -   a shoe closing part adapted for closing said open area.

The present invention further relates to a method for fabricating a shoe system comprising:

-   -   a step of fabricating or providing a shoe, which shoe comprises         at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating         the insertion of a foot into said shoe,     -   a step of fabricating or providing a shoe closing part adapted         for closing said open area.

Finally, the present invention relates to a method for closing a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe, said closing method comprising a step of closing the open area by means of a closing part.

PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use shoes for protecting the foot, in particular for walking or for any other activity requiring to move in a standing position. Conventionally, a shoe comprises, on the one hand, a bottom assembly that forms the bottom portion of the shoe and that is adapted for protecting the foot from the contact with the ground, and on the other hand, an upper that forms the top portion of the shoe and that is adapted for enveloping the foot. The upper is always open to leave room for the insertion of the foot into the shoe.

Furthermore, the shoe often comprises a closing system adapted for holding the foot in position, once le latter is inserted in the shoe. For example, the lace-up system is known, which ensures a good holding of the foot in the shoe. Generally, the laces are inserted into two series of eyelets arranged laterally with respect to an opening of the shoe on top of the upper, above the user's instep.

While such closing system using laces provides a steady and efficient holding of the foot in the shoe, it nonetheless has a number of drawbacks.

Such closing system is indeed particularly tedious for a user, which must insert the lace(s) into each eyelet, taking care to sufficiently pull tight the laces while keeping an appropriate lace length to finish the lacing up.

Furthermore, such closing system does not provide simply a wide opening when the laces are loosened in order to free the foot from the shoe. Indeed, the lace loosening operation may reveal particularly long in order to obtain sufficient room for allowing the exit of the foot.

Moreover, such closing system does not make it possible to rapidly change the lace, which may reveal necessary either for aesthetic reasons, for example for shoe customization, or for hygienic reasons if the lace is dirty, or for reasons of lace renewal if the latter is damaged or broken, or for convenience reasons for children or for old or handicapped persons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects assigned to the present invention are therefore to remedy the various drawbacks listed above and to propose a novel shoe closing part that makes it possible to both close and open rapidly, simply and steadily the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel shoe closing part based on the implementation of mechanisms that are simple and easy to implement.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel shoe closing part that ensures efficient and convenient closing and opening of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel shoe closing part that offers an easier implementation and that ensures aesthetic and convenient closing and opening of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel shoe system that makes it possible to both close and open rapidly, simply and steadily the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel method for fabricating a shoe system, which implements simple, rapid and convenient to implement steps of fabrication.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel method for closing a shoe, which makes it possible to both close and open rapidly, simply and steadily the shoe.

The objects assigned to the present invention are achieved by means of a closing part for a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe, said closing part being adapted for closing said open area, said closing part being characterized in that it comprises a unitary part intended to be fastened to said upper by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area, respectively.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a shoe system comprising:

-   -   a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an         open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said         shoe,     -   a shoe closing part adapted for closing said open area,

the closing part comprising a unitary part fastened to said upper by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area, respectively.

The objects assigned to the invention are further achieved by means of a method for fabricating a shoe system comprising:

-   -   a step of fabricating or providing a shoe, which shoe comprises         at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating         the insertion of a foot into said shoe,     -   a step of fabricating or providing a shoe closing part adapted         for closing said open area and comprising a unitary part,     -   a step in which the unitary part and the upper are provided with         means adapted for providing at least a first and a second         sliding connections between said unitary part and said upper.

Finally, the objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a method for closing a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper that includes an open area for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe, said closing method comprising a step of closing the open area by means of a closing part, said method being characterized in that said closing part comprises a unitary part intended to be fastened to said upper by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area, respectively, and in that the closing step comprises a sub-step of sliding in which the unitary part is slid with respect to said upper by means of said first and second sliding connections.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in greater detail upon reading of the following description, and by means of the appended drawings, provided in a purely illustrative and non-limitative way, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a shoe system comprising a closing part and a shoe, in open position, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the shoe system of FIG. 1, in closed position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a closing part and a lateral guide according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlargement of the area A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the shoe comprises an elastic gore;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a shoe closing part and two lateral guides according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial view showing a particular embodiment of a lateral guide according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial perspective front view showing the closing part and the lateral guides of FIG. 6, in slidingly closed position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a closing part comprising a stop according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial view showing an enlargement of the area B of FIG. 6, related to a lateral groove according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial view showing an enlargement of the area C of FIG. 6, related to a lateral guide according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlargement of the area D of FIG. 1 of a lateral guide according to the present invention.

BEST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a closing part 1 for a shoe 2, which shoe comprises at least an upper 3 forming the top portion of the shoe 2 and adapted for enveloping the foot, and a bottom assembly 4 forming the bottom portion of the shoe 2, intended to come into contact with the ground. Preferably, the upper 3 includes a first and a second quarters 23, intended to be joined to form an envelope around the foot. The upper 3 comprises an open area 5 for facilitating the insertion of a human foot into said shoe 2. The closing part 1 is adapted for closing said open area 5. In other words, the closing part 1 is adapted for filling the open area 5, so as to close said shoe 2. Preferably, the open area 5 is located between the two quarters 23 of the upper 3, on the front and the top of the latter, as shown in FIG. 1, preferentially from the forepart 3A of the upper 3.

Preferably, the shoe 2 is advantageously a versatile sport shoe of the “basketball” type, for example of the “sneaker” type, which is substantially supple and adapted to walking or occasional practice of sport. The upper 3 of the shoe 2 preferentially forms an envelope comprising at least a first layer, delimited by an outer wall 12 and an opposite inner wall 11, and made of a common material for sport shoes, for example leather, fabric or synthetic material. As an alternative, it is perfectly conceivable that the upper 3 could be made of any other material adapted to the protection of the foot and to the practice of walking. Preferably, the inner and outer walls 11, 12 delimit the contour of said upper 3, wherein said walls 11, 12 preferably delimit several layers of materials making up said upper 3. Advantageously, the inner wall 11 is intended to be in contact with the foot, whereas the outer wall 12 is intended to be oriented toward the outside.

In an advantageous embodiment, the shoe 2 also comprises a tongue (not shown), as usually seen on shoes of the market with laces, said tongues being preferentially fastened at the base 5C of said open area 5. Preferably, the open area 5 is located at the forepart 3A of the upper 3.

The closing part 1 comprises a unitary part 100, i.e. a single-piece part, fabricated for example by single-piece molding and that forms a so-called “one-piece” single part. Said unitary part 100 is intended to be fastened to said upper 3 by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area 5, respectively.

The closing part 1 is thus preferentially held on said upper 3 by means of a fixation allowing a sliding of the part 100 with respect to the upper 3, so as to close of the shoe 2, in particular in order to ensure the holding of the foot in position in said shoe 2. Said first and second sliding connections are advantageously provided on either side of said open areas, respectively, at each quarter 23 of the upper 3, i.e. each on a different side of the open area 5 with respect to an axis of main extension (XX′) of said shoe 2 (cf. FIG. 2).

Advantageously, the unitary part 100 is adapted for being removably fastened to said upper 3, i.e. it is connected to the upper 3 in a reversible way, and said upper 3 and the unitary part 10 form two parts independent and separable from each other. Therefore, the user may advantageously operate at will a connect or a disconnect of said closing part 1 with respect to the upper 3, by means of the first and second sliding connections. Indeed, said first and second sliding connections that connect the closing part 1 and the shoe 2 to each other are reversible connections. It is therefore possible, at any time, to change the position of the unitary part 100 with respect to the upper 3, in particular to fasten or unfasten said unitary part 100 to or from said shoe 2, it being understood that, once fastened to the shoe 2, the part 100 keeps its degree of freedom in translation with respect to said shoe 2.

The open area 5 is preferentially delimited by at least a first and a second lateral edges 5A, 5B, to each of which said unitary part 100 is intended to be fastened by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively. Preferably, said first and second lateral edges 5A, 5B correspond to a top delimitation of the first and second quarters 23 of the upper 3, respectively (cf. FIG. 5).

In an advantageous embodiment, said unitary part 100 is adapted for being connected to each of said first and second lateral edges 5A, 5B, through a male/female coupling, i.e. through fitting of a male portion into a female portion, said fitting however enabling a sliding of said male and female portions relative to each other.

Preferably, the unitary part 100 comprises a first and a second lateral grooves 7A, 7B, preferentially substantially identical to each other, forming a female part. Moreover, advantageously, the first and second lateral edges 5A, 5B comprise a first and a second lateral guides 6A, 6B, respectively, preferentially substantially identical to each other, forming a male part (cf. FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 10). The first and second lateral grooves 7A, 7B are then preferentially adapted for being fastened to said first and second lateral guides 6A, 6B, respectively, by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively.

In other words, said lateral grooves 7A, 7B, are adapted for fitting into said lateral guides 6A, 6B, respectively, such fitting being reversible and said lateral grooves 7A, 7B being perfectly independent and separable from said lateral guides 6A, 6B, in particular by sliding. The closing of said shoe 2 thus advantageously consists in a mechanical assembly, through insertion of said grooves 7A, 7B onto said guides 6A, 6B.

Preferably, the lateral guides 6A, 6B secured to said upper 3 have their own mechanical strength, i.e. they are adapted for supporting the unitary part 100, so as to stay in position on the upper 3 despite their fitting with the lateral grooves 7A, 7B.

Advantageously, the lateral grooves 7A, 7B of the unitary part 100 have the shape of a laterally open cylinder forming a female part, whereas the lateral guides 6A, 6B have a male cylinder shape, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7. In other words, the lateral grooves 7A, 7B have a partially circular section and slidingly cover the guides 5A, 5B of circular section. Advantageously, the diameter of said lateral grooves 7A, 7B is substantially greater than that of said lateral guides 6A, 6B, so as to enable the sliding while providing a sufficient friction between said lateral guides 6A, 6B and said lateral grooves 7A, 7B to ensure the holding of the shoe 2 in closed position.

As an alternative, it is also perfectly conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, that the grooves 7A, 7B and the guides 6A, 6B could have a section of another complementary shape, for example substantially square, rectangular or of any geometry, enabling the above-mentioned fitting as well as a sliding of the grooves 7A, 7B and the guides 6A, 6B relative to each other.

Advantageously, the lateral grooves 7A, 7B comprise at least one sliding stop means, for example a top stop 17 (cf. FIGS. 8 and 9), in the top portion of said groove 7A, 7B. Preferably, the lateral grooves 7A, 7B slide over the guides 6A, 6B until these latter reach said top stop 17 that defines the end of the sliding and the desired position of the closing part 1 on the shoe 2. Advantageously, the top stop 17 has a length substantially comprised between 2 and 15 mm, preferably substantially comprised between 5 and 10 mm. Such a stop thus ensures a reproducible position of the lateral grooves 7A, 7B on the guides 6A, 6B.

In a preferred embodiment, each of said lateral guides 6A, 6B comprises at least one tab 10, preferably three tabs 10 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 6), the latter being intended to be held in the upper 3, between the inner wall 11 and the outer wall 12 of the upper 3. The tabs 10 provide, at least in part, the securing and holding of the guides 6A, 6B on the upper 3. The tabs 10 are preferably fabricated by single-piece molding or over-molding with said guides 6A, 6B, so as to form a part integral with these latter.

Preferably, said tabs 10 are intended to be secured between said inner and outer walls 11, 12 of the upper 3, by means of a conventional bonding means, for example by means of a neoprene gel 13 and/or a textile adhesive 13 that is arranged between the tab 10 and said walls 11, 12 of the shoe 2 (cf. FIG. 12). As an alternative, the tabs 10 are advantageously sewed to at least one of said inner and outer walls 11, 12.

Preferably, each lateral guide 6A, 6B is adapted for being covered, at least in part, with a textile material 14 adapted for allowing the holding of said lateral guides 6A, 6B in the lateral grooves 7A, 7B of the unitary part 100. The textile material 14 around said guides 6A, 6B is preferentially chosen from those which are particularly resistant to wear, to breaking and to solvents. Further, it must advantageously have a thickness and a nature making it possible to ensure, on the one hand, the sliding of the lateral groove 7A, 7B over the guide 6A, 6B, and on the other hand, the steady holding of the fitting of said groove 7A, 7B and guide 6A, 6B, i.e. with no risk of inopportune disconnection during a conventional use of the shoe 2, in particular when the shoe is put on (insertion of the foot into the shoe 2) or during walking.

In such particular embodiment, it is possible that the guides 6A, 6B does not advantageously comprise tabs 9, insofar as the textile material 14 that covers said guides 6A, 6B, and catches the latter, extends also at least in part between the inner and outer walls 11, 12 of said shoe 2, so as to hold said guides 6A, 6B secured on the shoe 2, by being sewed to the walls 11, 12 or by means of a bonding system as mentioned above. Preferably, a bottom portion 16A of said guides 6A, 6B, located at the base 5C of the open area 5, is entirely covered with the textile material 14, so that the guides 6A, 6B are held in position on the shoe 2.

Preferably, each lateral guide 6A, 6B comprises at least one bulge 19, such as a boss 19, at its top end 16B, i.e. the end corresponding to the area of beginning of sliding of the lateral groove 7A, 7B over said guide 6A, 6B. Such a boss 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whose diameter is substantially greater than that of the guide 6A, 6B, is intended to facilitate the insertion of the unitary part 100 into the shoe 2. Besides, at least one of the ends 16A, 16B of each lateral guide 6A, 6B preferentially comprises a chamfer intended to facilitate the insertion of the guide 6A, 6B into the corresponding lateral groove 7A, 7B.

Furthermore, advantageously, a damping means 15 (cf. FIG. 7) may be introduced under said lateral guides 6A, 6B, so as to improve the comfort of the user, in particular by limiting the friction and the pressure applied by said unitary part 100 on the instep and/or flat of the foot of the user. Preferably, the damping means 15 is a synthetic foam pad enveloped within a textile material, preferably substantially identical to that used for said guides 6A, 6B.

The lateral guides 6A, 6B, covered or not with the textile material 14, may advantageously be covered, at least in part, with a piece of supple material, of the eyelet cover type, adapted for hiding, mainly for aesthetic reasons, said guides 6A, 6B on the shoe 2 (cf. FIG. 8).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the unitary part 100 has a U-shape (cf. FIGS. 3, 6 and 8), wherein each leg 100A, 100B of the U is adapted for being fastened to said upper 3 by means of said first and second sliding connection, respectively. Preferably, the two legs 100A, 100B, having preferably a substantially square or rectangular cross-section, are connected to each other by a web-forming link bar 100C, substantially transverse to the axis of extension of said legs 100A, 100B, said bar 100C having also preferably a substantially square or rectangular cross-section.

Advantageously, these are the legs 100A, 100B that are introduced in first onto the guides 6A, 6B, according to FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 8, showing a closing direction following to the arrow 30A and an opening direction following the arrow 30B. The unitary part 100 is thus used in the reversed-U direction, which simplifies its handling and its insertion onto the lateral guides 5A, 5B, to close the open area 5. Moreover, the U-shape has the interest that it limits the quantity of plastic material required for the fabrication of the closing part 1.

Advantageously, the bar 100C is substantially curved toward the inside of the U (cf. FIG. 9), so as to conform the shape of the instep and to be comfortable for the user.

As an alternative, it is perfectly conceivable that the unitary part 100 could have another shape than a U-shape, for example A-shape, H-shape, N-shape, M-shape, W-shape, or any other shape, geometrical or not, enabling the part 100 to be fastened to the upper 3 by means of said first and second sliding connections, provided on either side of the open area 5, respectively. Preferably, the unitary part 100 is multi-shape and comprises two lateral legs adapted for being slidingly associated with the lateral guides 6A, 6B of the upper 3.

The closing part 1 comprises at least one lace 8 adapted for being fastened to the unitary part 100, so as to form a single part. Therefore, the closing part 1 forms a lace-bearing part or a rapid and easy lace-changing part, on which at least one lace 8 is added and locked. It is conceivable that several laces 8, of different nature, size and color, could be advantageously laced onto the unitary part 100.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each leg 100A, 100B of the unitary part 100 comprises at least one orifice 9, preferably at least six orifices 9, in which said at least one lace 8 is intended to be introduced.

Advantageously, the orifices 9 are pierced through the whole thickness of each leg 100A, 100B, and are regularly spaced along these latter (cf. FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 9). The orifices 9 have preferentially each a diameter substantially comprised between 5 and 30 mm, preferably substantially equal to 10 mm. Said orifices 9 preferentially each comprise at least one groove 9A arranged on an inner and outer chamfer 9B of the orifice 9, so as to facilitate the sliding of the lace 8 during the lacing up of the shoe 2.

Preferably, the unitary part 100 is pre-laced, before being introduced into the open area 5 and secured by means of a sliding connection to the upper 3, so that it forms with said at least one lace 8 a substantially solid lace-bearing part ensuring the closing of the shoe 2 and the holding of the foot in the latter. Such part 100, forming with the lace 8 a lace-bearing part 1, then slides, through its lateral grooves 7A, 7B, over the two lateral guides 5A, 5B of the upper 3, which makes it possible, on the one hand, both to close and open the shoe 2 at will, to free or lock the foot, and on the other hand, to rapidly replace said lace-bearing part 1. The user, by moving the unitary part 100 in one of the directions indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrows 30A, 30B, i.e. through a substantially oblique movement with respect to the axis of extension (XX′) of said shoe 2, can then easily open and close the shoe 2.

Thus, one of the main interests of the lace-bearing part 1 of the invention is that it makes it possible to change rapidly and easily the laces and thus offers interchangeability between several lace-bearing parts 1 on a same shoe 2, so as to satisfy user's aesthetic, hygienic or maintenance choices. Each lace-bearing part 1 thus preferably comprises laces of different aesthetic nature or various accessories, such as badges, jewels, figurines, logos . . . . The user is thus advantageously able to customize his/her shoe 2.

As an alternative, and without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is perfectly conceivable that other elements than laces 8 could advantageously be held locked in the orifices of the unitary part 100, for example plastic strips (not shown), secured by means of a “clip” or hook system in the orifices 9, so as to form strips substantially perpendicular to the legs 100A, 100B of the part 100. These strips, which are also interchangeable between each other or with other strips, preferentially carry decorative patterns, so as to contribute to the aestheticism and the customization of the shoe 2.

Furthermore, in an embodiment alternative or complementary to the above, the unitary part 100, comprising or not a lace 8, is advantageously covered, at least in part, with a covering made of decorative plates (not shown), secured to the upper or directly to the part 100, for example at the orifices 9, by means of a “clip”, hook and/or “scratch” system.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the unitary part 100 has its own mechanical strength, i.e. it is stiff or rigid enough to adequately resist to bending, for example during its insertion into the open area 5 or during the use. Therefore, the unitary part 100 is made, as the lateral guides 6A, 6B, of a material substantially rigid, substantially deprived of any flaccidity. The unitary part 100 is nonetheless preferentially flexible enough to follow, at least in part, the movements of the foot and to keep a sufficient comfort level for the user. In particular, the legs 100A, 100B of the unitary part 100 have such a flexibility that the user, by means of a slight manual pressure, can slightly bring said legs 100A, 100B apart or together to facilitate their insertion onto the lateral guides 6A, 6B.

Advantageously, the unitary part 100 and the guides 6A, 6B are fabricated from plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material of the polypropylene type. As an alternative, it is perfectly conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, that another material could be used for the fabrication of said unitary part 100 and lateral guides 6A, 6B.

Preferably, the upper 3 comprises a first and a second quarters 23, and said shoe 2 comprises, under each of said quarters 23, a first and a second elastic portions 21, respectively, adapted for reducing the stresses applied by the closing part 1. Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 5, said elastic portions 21 form elastic gores 21A made of an elastic textile material and adapted for improving the comfort of the foot in said shoe 2. These elastic gores 21A, thanks to their opening amplitude 22 substantially comprised between 1 and 5 cm, preferably substantially equal to 2 cm, make it possible to reduce the stresses applied to the instep and the closing part 1.

The present invention also relates to a shoe system 40 comprising:

-   -   a shoe 2, which shoe comprises at least an upper 3 that includes         an open area 5 intended to facilitate the insertion of a foot         into said shoe 2,     -   a closing part 1 of a shoe 2 adapted for closing said open area         5,

the closing part 1 comprising a unitary part 100 fastened to said upper 3 by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area 5, respectively.

The closing system 40 of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has the interest that it makes it possible to rapidly close and open a shoe, to change easily and without effort the lace of the shoe 2, to simply and conveniently customize and modify the aestheticism of the shoe 2. Moreover, it is convenient and simple of use, in particular for a rapid lacing up, for example for children, old persons or reduced-mobility persons.

The present invention also relates to a method for fabricating a shoe system 40 comprising:

-   -   a step of fabricating or providing a shoe 2, which shoe         comprises at least an upper 3 that includes an open area 5 for         facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe 2,     -   a step of fabricating or providing a closing part 1 of a shoe 2         adapted for closing said open area 5 and comprising a unitary         part 100,     -   a step in which the unitary part 100 and the upper 3 are         provided with means adapted for providing at least a first and a         second sliding connections between said unitary part 100 and         said upper 3.

Advantageously, the unitary part 100 is provided with at least a first and a second lateral grooves 7A, 7B, as mentioned above, and the upper 3 with a first and a second lateral guides 6A, 6B, as mentioned above. These grooves 7A, 7B and lateral guides 6A, 6B are adapted for advantageously providing said first and second sliding connections to close the open area 5 and thus the shoe 2.

The step of fabricating or providing the closing part 1 comprises a sub-step of fabricating the unitary part 100, by molding of a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.

Preferably, the step of providing with means for providing at least the first and the second sliding connections comprises a sub-step of fabricating said first and second lateral guides 6A, 6B in which these latter are molded from a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. In this step, tabs 10 are advantageously molded integral with or over-molded onto said guides 6A, 6B.

The unitary part 100 and the lateral guides 6A, 6B are advantageously fabricated independently from each other and form separate elements that are separable and independent from each other. Preferably, the sizes of said unitary part 100 and lateral guides 6A, 6B vary mainly as a function of the models of shoe 2 and of the sizes of these latter.

Finally, the present invention relates to a method for closing a shoe, which shoe comprises at least an upper 3 that includes an open area 5 for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe 2. The closing method comprises a step of closing the open area 5 by means of a closing part 1.

Said closing part 1 comprises a unitary part 100 intended to be fastened to said upper 3 by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area 5, respectively. The closing step comprises a sub-step of sliding in which the unitary part 100 is slid with respect to said upper 3 by means of said first and second sliding connections.

In practice, the user takes hold of the unitary part 100, which is preferably already laced up with at least one lace 8 so as to form a lace-bearing part, in such a manner that the open portion of the U is directed toward the base 5C of the open area 5, as shown in FIG. 1. The user then introduces the lateral grooves 7A, 7B of the unitary part 100, on which the lace 8 is laced up and locked or not, into said lateral guides 6A, 6B, so as to generate a slide-type mechanical connection between each lateral guide 6A, 6B of the upper 3 and each lateral groove 7A, 7B of the closing part 1, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the user places the grooves 7A, 7B of the unitary part 100, arranged in a reversed-U direction, just above and opposite the guides 6A, 6B, so as they can be inserted and slid into said grooves 7A, 7B.

The user then pushes the unitary part 100 along said guides 6A, 6B until the insertion is arrested by stops 17 arranged in said grooves 7A, 7B, so as to lock the shoe 2 in closed position.

If the user thereafter wishes to change the lace-bearing unitary part 100 or if he/she wants to open the shoe 2, he/she just has to remove the unitary part 100 by pulling the bar 1C forming the web of the U-shape of the latter.

This closing method advantageously makes it possible to simply, rapidly and conveniently close and open a shoe 2. It also ensures a rapid and aesthetic customization of the shoe 2, without a particular effort.

The present invention relates to a device 1 for facilitating the changing of the lace 8 of a traditional shoe 2. The lacing up of the shoe is generally performed by manual insertion of the laces into the perforated holes provided for that purpose. All these shoes comprise this same system that implies, when the time has come to change the laces, for hygienic or aesthetic reasons, to perform this long and tedious operation. The device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to remedy this drawback, as it comprises, according to a first characteristic, a so-called “lace-bearing” central part 100 having orifices 9 on the two lateral ends 100A, 100B by which a lace 8 is introduced and locked so as to form only a single part. Such pre-laced central part 100 that makes it possible to change the laces rapidly and without effort consists of two cylindrical grooves 7A, 7B on each outer side 100A, 100B of the part 100, for a lateral sliding into the guides 6A, 6B that are incorporated in the shoe 2. According to particular embodiments:

-   -   the lace-bearing part 100 and the guides 6A, 6B can be         physically modified so as to offer a better flexibility or a         better resistance, according to the shoe model,     -   the lace-bearing part 100 may be thinner or thicker to also         offer a better flexibility or a better hardness, according to         the shoe model,     -   the twelve orifices 9 of the lace-bearing part 100 may be         modified for the insertion of several laces 8 or of thicker         laces 8,     -   the lateral grooves 7A, 7B of the lace-bearing part 100 may be         modified in order to facilitate the sliding thereof.

The appended drawings illustrate the invention. FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 show the complete device 1 of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the operation of the lace-bearing part 100 of the shoe 2. FIG. 12 shows the description of the position of the guides 6A, 6B on the shoe 2. FIG. 2 shows the final position of the lace-bearing part 100 on the shoe 2. With reference to these drawings, the device 1 comprises a lace-bearing central part 100 and lateral guides 6A, 6B (FIG. 6). In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the lace-bearing part 100 consists of twelve 10 mm-diameter orifices 9, pierced through the whole thickness thereof and separated equally on each symmetrical side 100A, 100B of the part 100. A groove 7A, 7B is also machined on each side 100A, 100B, over the whole length of the lace-bearing part 100, for the sliding into the lateral guides 6A, 6B secured to the shoe 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the cylindrical guides 6A, 6B, whose size is smaller than the diameter of the grooves 7A, 7B of the lace-bearing part 100, are incorporated over the whole length of each side 5A, 5B of the upright of the shoe 2, between the inner fabric 11 and the outer fabric 12, held and secured by means of a neoprene gel provided for that purpose (FIG. 12). The six tabs 10 molded by groups of three tabs to the cylindrical portion, on each of the guides 6A, 6B, offer better strength and flexibility to the guides 6A, 6B on/in the shoe 2. By way of non-limitative example, the different elements 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 10, 100 that constitute this invention will be made in different sizes according to the size of the shoe 2. This device 1 according to the invention is particularly intended for changing the lace 8 of a shoe 2.

The invention relates to a device 1 for rapidly lacing up a shoe 2 comprising a lace-bearing part 100 having two lateral cylindrical grooves 7A, 7B, in which slide the lateral guides 6A, 6B of the shoe 2. The lace-bearing part 100 consists of a lace 8 locked so as to form a single part. The lateral guides 6A, 6B are integral with the shoe 2. The four ends of the lateral grooves 7A, 7B of the lace-bearing part 100 are a chamfer. The four ends 16A, 16B of the two lateral guides 6A, 6B of the lace-bearing part 100 are a chamfer to provide better insertion of the guides 6A, 6B into the lace-bearing part 100.

Device for facilitating the changing of the lace of a traditional shoe. The invention relates to a device 1 for changing rapidly and without effort the lace 8 of a shoe 2. It consists of a lace-bearing part 100 having two cylindrical grooves 7A, 7B on either outer side 100A, 100B of the part 100 for a lateral sliding into the guides 6A, 6B that are incorporated in the shoe 2. When the user wants to change the laces 8 of the shoes 2, he/she removes the deteriorated/damaged lace-bearing part 100 through a simple sliding action (sliding direction 30B, FIG. 1), and introduces a new lace-bearing part 100 into the guides 6A, 6B of the shoe 2 through a small vertical pushing action 30A up to the stop 17 of the shoe 2. This device 1 according to the invention is particularly intended for changing the laces 8 of a shoe 2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention finds its industrial application in the design and fabrication of shoe closing parts and shoe systems, usable in various industrial domains, in particular the field of foot protection wear and accessories. 

1. A closing part (1) for a shoe (2), which shoe comprises at least an upper (3) that includes an open area (5) for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe (2), said closing part (1) being adapted for closing said open area (5), said closing part (1) being characterized in that it comprises a unitary part (100) intended to be fastened to said upper (3) by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area (5), respectively.
 2. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the unitary part (100) is adapted for being removably fastened to said upper (3).
 3. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the open area (5) is delimited by at least a first and a second lateral edges (5A, 5B), to each of which said unitary part (100) is adapted to be fastened by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively.
 4. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the unitary part (100) is adapted for being connected to each of said first and second lateral edges (5A, 5B) through a male/female coupling.
 5. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the unitary part (100) comprises a first and a second lateral grooves (7A, 7B), and in that the first and second lateral edges (5A, 5B) comprise a first and a second lateral guides (6A, 6B), respectively, said first and second lateral grooves (7A, 7B) being adapted for being fastened to said first and second lateral guides (6A, 6B), respectively, by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively.
 6. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lateral grooves (7A, 7B) of the unitary part (100) have the shape of a laterally open cylinder forming a female part, whereas the lateral guides (6A, 6B) have a male cylinder shape
 7. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that each of said lateral guides (6A, 6B) comprises at least one tab (10), which tab is intended to be held in the upper (3), between the inner wall (11) and the outer wall (12) of the upper (3) delimiting the contour of the latter, wherein the inner wall (11) is intended to be in contact with the foot, whereas the outer wall (12) is intended to be oriented toward the outside.
 8. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that each lateral guide (6A, 6B) is adapted for being covered, at least in part, with a textile material (14) adapted for allowing the holding of said lateral guides (6A, 6B) in the lateral grooves (7A, 7B) of the unitary part (100).
 9. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the unitary part (100) has a U-shape, wherein each leg (100A, 100B) of the U is adapted for being fastened to said upper (3) by means of said first and second sliding connection, respectively.
 10. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one lace (8) adapted for being fastened to the unitary part (100).
 11. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that each leg (100A, 100B) of the unitary part (100) comprises at least one orifice (9), in which said at least one lace (8) is intended to be introduced.
 12. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the unitary part (100) has its own mechanical strength.
 13. A shoe system (40) comprising: a shoe (2), which shoe comprises at least an upper (3) that includes an open area (5) for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe (2), a closing part (1) for a shoe (2) adapted for closing said open area (5), the closing part (1) comprising a unitary part (100) fastened to said upper (3) by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area (5), respectively.
 14. The closing system (40) for a shoe (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that the upper (3) comprises a first and a second quarters (23), and in that said shoe (2) comprises, under each of said quarters (23), a first and a second elastic portions (21), respectively, adapted for reducing the stresses applied by the closing part (1).
 15. A method for fabricating a shoe system (40) comprising: a step of fabricating or providing a shoe (2), which shoe comprises at least an upper (3) that includes an open area (5) for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe (2), a step of fabricating or providing a closing part (1) for a shoe (1), adapted for closing said open area (5) and comprising a unitary part (100), a step in which the unitary part (100) and the upper (3) are provided with means adapted for providing at least a first and a second sliding connections between said unitary part (100) and said upper (3).
 16. A method for fabricating a shoe system (40) according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of fabricating or providing the closing part (1) comprises a sub-step of fabricating the unitary part (100), by molding of a plastic material.
 17. A method for closing a shoe (2), which shoe comprises at least an upper (3) that includes an open area (5) for facilitating the insertion of a foot into said shoe (2), said closing method comprising a step of closing the open area (5) by means of a closing part (1), said method being characterized in that said closing part (1) comprises a unitary part (100) intended to be fastened to said upper (3) by means of at least a first and a second sliding connections provided on either side of said open area (5), respectively, and in that the closing step comprises a sub-step of sliding in which the unitary part (100) is slid with respect to said upper (3) by means of said first and second sliding connections.
 18. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the open area (5) is delimited by at least a first and a second lateral edges (5A, 5B), to each of which said unitary part (100) is adapted to be fastened by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively.
 19. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the unitary part (100) comprises a first and a second lateral grooves (7A, 7B), and in that the first and second lateral edges (5A, 5B) comprise a first and a second lateral guides (6A, 6B), respectively, said first and second lateral grooves (7A, 7B) being adapted for being fastened to said first and second lateral guides (6A, 6B), respectively, by means of the first and second sliding connections, respectively.
 20. The closing part (1) for a shoe (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that each of said lateral guides (6A, 6B) comprises at least one tab (10), which tab is intended to be held in the upper (3), between the inner wall (11) and the outer wall (12) of the upper (3) delimiting the contour of the latter, wherein the inner wall (11) is intended to be in contact with the foot, whereas the outer wall (12) is intended to be oriented toward the outside. 